Thursdays

Last year about this time, I received an email. This was an unremarkable email as far as emails go; but the content inspired me to buy a pair of well-priced plane tickets. A few months later, I let my partner in crime in on my secret. The Monday before Thanksgiving we went to the international terminal at the airport, checked our bags, cleared security, and found a glass of wine near the departure gate. Before we boarded the flight, we sent messages to our family and friends letting them in on our surprise. The flight was uneventful; the drive from the airport exciting, and the hotel was exactly as it had been described. We squeezed our bags into the room, splashed our faces, and headed out into the twilight to explore. We found that the city was filled with lights.

After walking as long as we could after crossing so many time zones; we found something to eat and called it an evening. A great night of sleep reset the clock and we spent the rest of the week exploring things as they presented themselves. We had both been to this place before, there was no pressure to 'do' anything. We spent time at a park observing the locals.

Evenings sipping flutes of bubbly (some with raspberries)

And just enjoyed all the different expressions of the upcoming holiday that we came across as we explored the city.

Some of the locals were more approachable than others . . .

While we were there; our friends and family gathered together during the week for piles of turkey, potatoes, salad, and pie. We strolled down the street and ate at a cozy little place down the street from our residence. A particular animal was featured on the menu and prepared several ways. There was a selection of seasonal vegetables offered on the side, and a carafe of the house red served as the perfect match for the food on the plates. After the meal, we popped through another door where, when they saw us come in, bottles were pulled from the shelf, and digestives poured and at our table as we removed our wraps.

We gave thanks.

Our time together was a gift; a time to spend just being; with no deadlines, agendas, or commitments (well, other than a couple of dinner engagements). And in the end, we think we may have created our own tradition of thanks. We realized that we could go away, just the two of us, and give thanks wherever we were, even if it felt just like a regular Thursday in that place.

If you are looking to create your own thankful-just-a-regular-Thursday moment in this very special city, take a look at what Jordan Ferney at Oh Happy Day! is offering to do for one lucky reader. Jordan is living the dream many of us have of picking up and moving to a foreign country with her family, you can follow her escapades and enjoy her party and decorating ideas even if you don't end up entering her contest to win a trip to PARIS!

(shhh, maybe you want to keep your trip a secret too)

Labels are for People and Cans

In 2007 Tesco, the UK's biggest supermarket chain said that they would be starting a program to label "varieties of orange juice, potatoes, energy-efficient light bulbs and washing detergent, stating the quantity in grammes of CO2 equivalent put into the atmosphere by their manufacture and distribution." In 2008 Japan announced a similar program modeled after Tesco's scheme. In September of 2009 Sweden announced new rules for listing of carbon emissions on all food labels. While well intended, the labeling could cause more confusion when considered alongside healthy eating advice being given by nutrition experts.

In the Swedish model, consumers are encouraged to eat carrots instead of cucumbers or tomatoes mainly because in the Swedish climate, tomatoes and cucumbers must be cultivated in a greenhouse using extra power that the carrots do not require. The labeling even recommends beans and chicken as a preferred protein over beef based on the greenhouse gasses generated by raising cattle. That cows produce more greenhouse gas than most farm animals is not new news, but for those of us used to filling up on cucumbers and tomatoes during the summer months, the new labeling makes a once healthy activity as guilt filled as eating an entire wedge of cheese in one sitting.

The Tesco program in the UK appears to have the goal of educating the consumer, which makes more sense to me. The company started to label items in categories that most people buy and have communicated that a lower footprint is better along the way. This creates less guilt about certain items and more information about lowering the overall footprint. Finally, they have continued to layer on new categories as the company and consumer could absorb it, which allows everyone to absorb things at an even pace.

I believe that we should consider the impact of our food choices on a more holistic level. Knowing where our food comes from is the first step, but understanding the impact of our choices by knowing what the carbon footprint is gives us a level of detail that we really need to help us understand the resources used to grow and harvest, transport from farm to processor, and final transport from the processor to the final point of sale. Looking at labels on a can of tomato sauce in the supermarket these days in order to pick the one that has traveled the least based on the company's address is one way to accomplish this, but in the end who knows where the tomatoes came from and where they were processed before they ended up on the shelf at the supermarket?

Lower carbon footprints are not always the result of locally grown foods. While reading an article in the Guardian last spring I was again reminded that some areas require additional resources to sustain livestock or grow crops. In these cases, it might be more 'green' to bring in the food grown or produced in other areas of the country or even world. As with most things, there needs to be a balance between the 'eat local' and the 'eat anything anytime' crowds. Carbon footprint labeling would help to guide all of our choices. Perhaps in the end by eating a combination of locally grown, in season foods and foods that have a low carbon footprint and sprinkling in a few very special out of area items we can help reduce emissions caused by food transport.

The Social City

The town of Waldkirch sits on the banks of the river Elz in Baden-Wuttemberg, Germany. As a member of the Citta Slow organization, the city has worked hard to promote its people and products in the region. Along with a shared vision of empowering all its citizens young and old, Waldkirch has a goal for all to live and work ecologically. Power is provided by a utility company formed by the town which allows it to be more efficient in its use of renewable energy sources and new building is centered within easy walking and/or biking distance or near public transit hubs.

The Rote Haus Community Center provides a gathering place for all generations by offering clubs, classes and fun activities for all ages. Assistance in learning German, finding housing, jobs and most other social services can also be found at the facility. The team working there respects the individuals that they serve; operating under the assumption that each person has a skill and talent that can be leveraged. In 2009 the WABE network, one of the many private/public social programs Waldkirch supports; won a European Enterprise Award for its success with integrating unemployed members of the community into the workforce.

The children of Waldkirch benefit from an all day school program developed by Headmaster Thomas Kanstinger at the Kastelberg Schule. The three principals that guide the school's educational approach are as follows:

• Support and develop the child holistically
• Develop confidence in the children and fun in learning
• Individuality as created within a framework of rules and guidelines

Unlike other schools in the area, children attend school all day and are taught using a more holistic approach. Learning soft skills are just as important as traditional subjects and these lessons are integrated to ensure that what is learned can also be applied.

Waldkirch is most well known for the manufacture of Barrel Organs and as part of the city's efforts to keep old traditions alive, has a museum and a tri-annual festival dedicated to the history and culture of these fun machines. The tradition of these organs and the supporting industries lead to a high participation in music education in the community. The oldest city run music school is located here!

Because of a relatively stable leadership - Richard Leibinger has been the mayor since 1983! - the city of Waldkirch has been able to execute a vision of social equity that is held up as a model for others to adopt. They have shown that by respecting each individual they can successfully integrate everyone into this community.

The Green City

Freiburg im Breisgau is located in the southwest corner of Germany in the Black Forest, approximately 25 miles from the French border. The city is a university town and as such is filled with a well informed citizenry. Most people know the city of Freiburg for leadership in the field of environmental sustainability, specifically alternative energy sources. In addition to all the policy, research, development and manufacturing done in Freiburg, the city plays host to 'solar tourists' from all over the world and is the home of the International Solar Energy Society, a not for profit group that "supports its members in the advancement of renewable energy technology, implementation and education all over the world."

This city promotes environmental sustainability and has offered incentives to the residents to update older buildings with the latest technologies. The city core has been closed to automobile traffic since 1973 when the unique 13th century water channels, or Bächle, were reopened for all to use. The fresh water that runs rapidly along the sides of the walkways provide a fun place to cool off after a long walk through the city or a hard day at school.

Cobblestone streets and walkways have been restored to their former state with modern touches in order to accommodate necessary parking signage.

Before I left the United States I read an article in the New York Times about the Vauban neighborhood in Frieburg. We were fortunate enough to get a guided tour from one of the City Planners that had worked with the neighborhood and knew it quite well. The neighborhood operates as a car free zone with most needs being met within a short walk, bike or tram ride. Energy is generated for the majority of the homes and businesses by solar stations and heat is provided by a central plant that burns wood chips harvested (sustainably of course) from the nearby Black Forest. It is an upscale neighborhood full of row houses and green spaces for children to play. Their challenge will be to shift built resources to accommodate an aging population if those residents decide to stay in place as the young children grow up and move on.

Even the tram lines were treated as a greenbelt which is a great way to manage run off water as we got to witness live and in person during the morning's downpour.

The second neighborhood we toured was Rieselfeld; a former 'sludge farm' or sewage processing area. When the city decided to develop the land, they discovered that minimal clean up was required making it a much less expensive place than originally thought. By cleaning up the top few meters of topsoil, the city was left with a blank canvas on which to plan a new neighborhood. Most buildings were constructed in such a way that they could be transformed to meet the needs of a changing population. As the residents age, schools can become office space or senior centers and open space is good for everyone.

The plan called for 50% of the housing to be available as social (or affordable) housing, but as the neighborhood was executed they found that the demand was not quite as high as they originally thought. Some of the zoning was changed to accommodate row housing instead. Similarly to the Vauban neighborhood, the housing is connected by a network of green space and two-thirds of the acreage was converted to a nature preserve for all the residents to enjoy. While this neighborhood is much larger (about double the number of residents as the Vauban) they seem to have done a better job accommodating all ages, incomes and family types. The City Planner that led the tour through this area said that there was housing for both seniors and disabled people in the neighborhood as well as 25% of the housing considered affordable.

The Rieselfeld neighborhood contains goods and services for its residents, including a school and culture center. Near the central plaza a gym was constructed under a hill in order to preserve the green space for everyone to use and enjoy. This also helps with storm water run-off along with green roofs and more green tram-ways. One of the final open corner lots (there are two) is being held for a grocery store to anchor the neighborhood. In most cases in the United States, it is the developer that needs to make their investment back who owns that land. They may build whatever makes the most money whether it is the 'right' decision or not. In this case, the city both owns the land and has the resources to be patient and wait for the right development.

The residents all pitch in to keep the area nice looking and trash free. Public areas are adopted by families or buildings, planted and decorated according to what they think will look nice. Most are filled with lavendar, rosemary and other greenery. The one below had a nice collection of painted stones around its border. Each courtyard is managed cooperatively by residents of the buildings that surround it with a mandatory play area for any children.

Finally, where the neighborhood meets the nature preserve, the tram track curves around the last building on the block and returns to central Freiburg, stopping and starting at each kiosk to deposit its load of men, women and children within a short walk of their final destination.

Just another day in the Green City.

Schmuck!

Otherwise know as objects of precious metal often set with gems and worn for personal adornment a.k.a. jewelry.

The City of Pforzheim Germany, located on the northern edge of the Black Forest is best known for its jewelry and clock production. Schmuckwelten (Jewelry World in English) is a place where you can browse and buy anything from silver bracelets to a necklace with mini versions of Faberge eggs that will drip down your décolletage.

There is also a museum dedicated to the technical side of this industry located south of the city center. Fortunately for my pocketbook, I was in Pforzheim not to research sparklers, but to see my friend Valerie make her European operatic debut. Amazingly this small town of just over 100,000 residents supports a full city theater, opera, orchestra, chorus, acting company and ballet. Valerie sang the role of Abigail in a concert version of Nabucco held in an outdoor theater constructed next to the river for summer outdoor performances. It was well worth the trip to this "City of Gold" on the rivers Enz, Nagold and Würm to see this performance. Val knocked it out of the park and I was thrilled to be a part of her introduction to the European opera stage.

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

Once, twice, twelve times Milano

In five years Milan will host the world at EXPO 2015. There have been World's Fairs or EXPOs going on all over the world since 1851. Early fairs focused on industrialization; and then gradually the emphasis shifted to cultural exchanges and issues of humankind. Current day EXPOsitions are used as nation branding events where pavilions are set up to promote different nations of the world, similarly to what a country does now when they are chosen for an Olympic games.

One of the events leading up to the Milan event is a challenge named 12xMilano to architects and urban designers for a vision of the future Milan. In a small corner space on the end of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II closest to La Scala there is an interactive display of 12 different visions from offices located all over the European continent.

There are ideas for tranformation of the city, promoting better ecology, urban food production including a plan for a multi-story vertical garden and the usual suspects of transportation, building uses and density, infill, housing and easy to use, flexible public open spaces.

If you are in town, you should definitely stop by the space and take a look. All of the displays are in both Italian and English and there are great take aways to pick up and refer to later. It will be interesting to see what, if anything actually gets included in the city's plans.

(images courtesy of the 12xMilano project)

Age is just a state of mind

I have gotten myself into a situation where I am much older than the people I will be spending the month of July with. Because I don’t really know them at all I’ve found myself not telling stories or omitting details, like how long I’ve done something because I don’t want to give myself away. Today one of them was surprised that I had seen a kind of corny movie that she liked. What I didn’t tell her was that I saw it during it’s first release in the theater. I don’t feel (much) older than I was 10 or 15 years ago, but I know that my experience is making me much wiser.

Just how old is she?
The world may never know!

Zürich the Gartencity

This summer, the town of Zürich will be more lush than usual with more than 300 enormous decorated pots placed throughout the city. The pots will display over 30 different types of plant species. Visitors can admire the designs on the huge pots and learn about the different types of plants from placards as they stroll along the mapped route. City leaders have said that this display goes along with the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of the city; specifically appealing to people’s love of the environment. Chicago had cows*, San Francisco had hearts, Berlin had the Buddy Bears* and now Zürich has some huge decorated pots to attract visitors and locals to the streets downtown.

* city list nowhere near complete

(image courtesy of gARTencity Zürich website)

To Pass or not to Pass, that is the question

This week I need to make another very. important. decision; whether or not to buy a Rail pass for my trip. Based on the fares I found on the Swiss Rail site a two month/three country Eurail Select Pass will save me approximately one-hundred dollars off the first class fare. But then I have to factor in the cost of a seat reservation if I want to be sure of a place on the train to call my own. The reservation fee from what I can tell, will cost anywhere from five Euro up to just over one hundred Euro for an overnight or high speed reservation.

Since I will have to go to the train station to check the schedule and buy the reservation anyway, I am wondering if I am actually saving anything at all, including time. Factor in the need to protect the flimsy piece of paper that is the pass itself and the fact that there are some discounted fares that I would eligible for once in country into the equation and I think I might be better off by purchasing point to point tickets on an as needed basis. That is still just as flexible and looks like it will cost about the same anyway.

Anyone for Rochambeau?

Slowing down

While I am in Europe this summer I will be taking a class titled Cities, Regions and Firms: The Role of the Global Business Environment and Local Economies. The second class I’m taking is titled Sustainability and Cities and will focus on the Slow Food and Slow Cities movements with a class project in a nearby town.

While both of these courses will be interesting, I’m most excited about learning more about Slow Cities (a.k.a. Cittaslow) and how the towns are choosing to approach each point in the charter. While it is great to learn about how larger urban areas work; I am really interested to learn how smaller towns are benefiting from having a thoughtful plan put into place.

From the Australian Cittaslow website (the official site is in Italian!) here are some of the main tenants of the Cittaslow movement.

A Cittaslow is one where the community chooses to:

• implement an environmental policy which nurtures the distinctive features of that town or city and its surrounding area, and focuses on recycling & recovery;
• put in place infrastructure with a focus on environmentally-friendly use of land;
• preserve the history of a region, the important buildings and historical locations and making sure they are identified, protected and maintained;
• encourage the use of technology that will improve the quality of air and life in the city;
• support the production and consumption of organic foodstuffs;
• protect and promote products which have their roots in tradition and reflect a local way of doing things;
• encourage learning about food and where it comes from;
• encourage a spirit of genuine hospitality towards guests of the town or city.

It seems like a good balance of preserving the past and taking advantage of current technology and I can’t wait to experience it in person.

Now, I just need to figure out how to slow myself down.

10 Black T-shirts, 4 scarves, 2 pairs of jeans, a skirt, a pair of fabulous pants...

Packing for a trip can be a mind numbing at best, especially when you are planning for a long one. I usually start with picking shoes based on the known activities, will I need flats or heels, hiking shoes, city sneakers (or both), sandals, etc… Once the type of shoe is narrowed down, color comes into play; black, browns or something more colorful? Shoe choice finalized, test driven and approved by an objective observer, I move on to clothing. The key for me here is that there are lots of ways to mix and match the chosen pieces. I have to be able to mix both styles and colors so that I can (a) carry my own suitcase without hurting myself and (b) don’t feel like I am wearing the same outfit every day (c) dress up or down as appropriate. Personal care items are chosen based on which things I really feel make my routine a productive one and a few key over the counter meds so that I don’t have to try and find them in a desperate situation, if you know what I mean. Finally, I pull together a small ‘survival kit’ for the airplane so that I can survive 24-48 hours without my luggage if I need to; a clean t-shirt, skivvies and a few things to freshen up with and the packing is done. It is usually fairly easy for me to pull things together, although the longer the trip, the longer it takes to pare things down the bare essentials.

The trip I need to pack for this month brings an added twist of several short overnight stays away from the central location. This means I need a satellite bag that is small enough to carry on the airplane (no second checked bag fee) and large enough to hold a few days worth of stuff. At the moment I’m thinking a large rolling suitcase, a soft-sided duffel for the carry on, and a backpack that will accommodate my camera, laptop, reading materials, etc. My handbag will go inside either the duffel or the backpack. Another possibility is two rolling suitcases; one small and one large. In that scenario I would pack the small one, insert it into the large one and check the whole thing, perhaps pushing the weight limits.

Stay tuned…

To New Beginnings (a.k.a. That's Just Crazy Talk)

When this blog was first set up, the intent was to use it to post an image a day from my travels both near and far. Life got in the way and between full time work, part time graduate school, orchestra, family and friends, the blog (obviously) took a back burner. Then, suddenly I was given a very generous gift of time. I quickly assessed my options and decided to take advantage of a summer study abroad program that would be both an extension and an enhancement of my graduate studies.

Crazy, right? I mean, who loses their job and decides to go to Europe for six weeks? Evidently that would be me. I'm going to do my best to keep this blog updated with where I am, what I am learning and how it is all impacting me and what I do next. I will also try to post images along the way.

I think that this will be an interesting summer as I try to always remember; whether you think you can or you think you can't, you are always right.